Concurrences Interview: Damien Gerard (Belgian Competition Authority)

For a Rigorous and Effective Competition Policy Anchored in Market Realities

September 18, 2023

Cleary Gottlieb partner Isabel Rooms conducted an interview for Concurrences of Damien Girard, Prosecutor General of the Belgian Competition Authority.

In the interview, Damien reflects on merger control enforcement in vertical and conglomerate cases, the acceptance of behavioral remedies, as well as the use of Article 22 EUMR and Article 102 TFEU for non-notifiable concentrations. Damien also shares his views on cartel enforcement and the notion of abuse of economic dependency, explains how sustainability and labor protection could or should be factored into competition law assessments, and highlights the Belgian Competition Authority’s openness to provide informal guidance where appropriate.

To read the interview, click here.